Myiasis associated with penile carcinoma: a new trend in developing countries?

ABSTRACT Objectives The aim of this study is to report an unusual form of penile cancer presentation associated with myiasis infestation, treatment options and outcomes. Materials and Methods We studied 10 patients with suspected malignant neoplasm of the penis associated with genital myiasis infestation. Diagnostic assessment was conducted through clinical history, physical examination, penile biopsy, larvae identification and computerized tomography scan of the chest, abdomen and pelvis. Clinical and pathological staging was done according to 2002 TNM classification system. Radical inguinal lymphadenectomy was conducted according to the primary penile tumor pathology and clinical lymph nodes status. Results Patients age ranged from 41 to 77 years (mean=62.4). All patients presented squamous cell carcinoma of the penis in association with myiasis infestation caused by Psychoda albipennis. Tumor size ranged from 4cm to 12cm (mean=5.3). Circumcision was conducted in 1 (10%) patient, while penile partial penectomy was performed in 5 (50%). Total penectomy was conducted in 2 (20%) patients, while emasculation was the treatment option for 2 (20%). All patients underwent radical inguinal lymphadenectomy. Prophylactic lymphadenectomy was performed on 3 (30%) patients, therapeutic on 5 (50%), and palliative lymphadenectomy on 2 (20%) patients. Time elapsed from primary tumor treatment to radical inguinal lymphadenectomy was 2 to 6 weeks. The mean follow-up was 34.3 months. Conclusion The occurrence of myiasis in the genitalia is more common in patients with precarious hygienic practices and low socio-economic level. The treatment option varied according to the primary tumor presentation and clinical lymph node status.

Epidemiological aspects of penile cancer in Rio de Janeiro: evaluation of 230 cases

PURPOSE: To determine epidemiological characteristics of penile cancer in Rio de Janeiro, its associated risk factors and clinical manifestations. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between 2002 and 2008 we evaluated 230 patients at three public institutions, considering age, ethnicity, birthplace, marital status, educational level, religion, tobacco smoking, presence of phimosis and practice of circumcision. RESULTS: The ages ranged from 25 to 98 years, with an average of 58.35 years. Of the 230 patients, 167 (72.7 percent) were from the southeast region of Brazil (which includes Rio de Janeiro) and 45 (19.5 percent) were from the northeast of the country. Most patients were white (67.3 percent), married (58.6 percent), smokers (56.5 percent) and had not completed primary school (71.3 percent). The predominant religion was Catholic (74.8 percent). Of the 46 (20 percent) circumcised patients, only 1 (2.2 percent) had undergone neonatal circumcision. Grade I tumors were present in 87 (37.8 percent) of the patients, grade II in 131 (56.9 percent) and grade III in 12 (5.3 percent). Lymphovascular embolization was observed in 63 (27.3 percent) and koilocytosis in 124 (53.9 percent) patients. Of the total, 41.3 percent had corpora cavernosa or corpus spongiosum infiltration, and 40 (17.4 percent) had urethral invasion. Prophylactic lymphadenectomy was performed on 56 (36.1 percent), therapeutic lymphadenectomy on 84 (54.2 percent) and hygienic lymphadenectomy for advanced disease on 15 (9.7 percent) patients. The median time between the lesion onset and clinical diagnosis was 13.2 months. The mean follow up was 28.8 months. CONCLUSION: Most of our patients were born in this state and had low socioeconomic status. Most of them were white men, married, smokers, uncircumcised, of the Catholic faith and in their sixties or older. Their disease was in most cases diagnosed only in the advanced stages.